BALTIMORE — Shortly after one of the biggest wins of the season — a 34-20 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday night — Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh delivered news that could significantly impact his team's promising season going forward.
Pro Bowl tight end Mark Andrews likely suffered a season-ending left ankle injury. «Mark Andrews has a very serious ankle injury,» Harbaugh said. «I think it's a form of a high ankle [injury] but more than just a sprain.» Andrews' devastating injury sparked some controversy.
On the opening drive, he was thrown to the ground with a «hip drop» tackle by Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson. It's the same type of tackle that led to Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes' high ankle sprain in the divisional round of last season's playoffs.
There was talk this past offseason that the NFL could outlaw that tackling technique in which the defender grabs the ball carrier from behind and pulls him down while dropping his own body to the ground. «It was definitely a hip-drop tackle, and it is being discussed,» Harbaugh said. «It's a tough tackle.